Numeri 16:21 Midrash: Sifra & Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition)

1) (Midbar [desert] is mentioned three times in this section:) 15:10, Bamidbar 16:21, and Bamidbar 16:22 — to include (the [sending away to the] desert requirement for the sanctuaries of) Nov, Givon, Shiloh, and the Temple.

(Ib. b) R. Ada b. Ahaba said: "Whence do we learn that a single man must not say the Kedusha? It is said (Lev. 22, 32.) So that I may be sanctified among the children of Israel; i.e., everything holy should not be said by less than ten (men)." How does he prove this? Rabanai, the brother of R. Chiya b. Abba explained it: "We deduce it [first] from the words Toch, Toch: it is written here, So that I may be sanctified Betoch (among) the children of Israel, and it is written there (Num. 16, 21.) Separate yourselves Mitoch (from the midst of) the congregation (Eda); [as in the latter case the word Toch in connection with Eda refers to ten, so in the former case, the word Toch, although alone, also refers to ten]. Again we deduce [that the latter passage where Toch is mentioned in connection with Eda refers to ten], from the words, Eda, Eda: it is written (Ib. 14, 27.) How long (shall indulgence he given) to this evil Eda (congregation). as that passage [where Eda is mentioned alone] refers to ten (the spies, who were twelve, excluding Joshua and Kaleb) so in the passage where Eda is mentioned in connection with Toch, does it also refer to ten."